Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-01-06
MICHIGAN MATTERS.
OUR SOLDIERS HOME.
The Home for the Veterans Form.
ally Dedicated.
AHistory of the Project Description Of the
Building Dedicatory Exercisea


western Michigan at st. Joseph in August,
1888. A resolution was adopted asking
congress to take some steps in the premis-
es. This idea was vigorously pushed, but
encountered opposition and finally failed.
Two bills were presented in the last leg
islature to relieve the soldiers in distress.
One provided for 500 bounty to every
Michigan soldier, sailor and marine, which
was soon dropped as impracticable. The
other, by Representative John North
wood of Saginaw, asked for an appropria-
tion of 100000 to build home for the
veterons of the war resident in the state
and $4,000 to carry on the institution un-
til the next session of the legislature.
This bill finally passed and was signed
June 8 1885. Gov. Alger appointed as a
boaod of management of the home Col.
Samuel Wells of Buchanan. Col. A. Il.
Bliss of Saginaw, Gen. Byron II. Pierce OF
Grand. Rapids, X. A. Remck of Detroit,
Col. Chas Y. Osborne of Marquette and
the Hon Michael Brown of Big Rapids.
When the bill passed it was understood
that the site for the home should be do
mated TO the state. After considerable
competition Grand Rapids was chosen,
and Col. Wells was selected as manager
and Maj. j. w. Long of Mt. Pleasant adju-
tant. The site property cost $4,000. Chas.
Tiedke of Saginaw City secured the con-
tract for building the home, his bid being
for S99,661 81. The contract was awarded
Jan. %, 1856, and the building was ready
for occupancy Dec. 80, 1856.
The home is located about three miles
north of Grand Rapids on the east side OF
Grand river. Two lines of railroad on
the opposite side of the river take visitors
within half a mile of the home and fine
gravel road leads to the place from the
city. The home as completed has 80 feet
front facing toward the river and the west,
overlooking a very picturesque scene.
The material is white brick stained red,
xx,sf o.hl 90 Nrs. ,fV.sr ...s..
part of the building has AZ feet front and
extends back 76 feet, four stories high, 50
feet to the roof, with tower above. the
top of which is 1856 feet from the ground.
A life sized figure of soldier stands guard
from the apex of the roof. The wings are
each As feet front, 100 feet deep, and three
stories high, with large arched windows
and side entrances, protected with porches
and balconies. The main building and
wings are connected by curtains, each 81
feet long and 80 feet deep, with IL feet
porch extending along the entire length,
and dormer window in the roof. The
building is far more solid and substantial
in appearance than ornamental, although
it does not by any means lack in that
quality.
The main entrance is Q feet wide with
heavy stone steps, alcove windows on
extending over the steps and the drive
way in front, with balcony above. The
grand hallway is 39l$x45 feet with CORR.
doris ~ feet wide in the wings. The first
floor is occupied with the officers apart
ments, quarters for the governor, a parlor,
waiting-room, dispensary, billiard room,
play-room, library, reading room, and in
the south wing the dining groom, 42x72 feet
in size, with kitchen and pantry at
tached. The second floor has % dormi-
tories and theater 39l Ix39 feet
with a stage 3914xl6 feet. The cor.
10, - I'll l..
cupied by the theater with a gallery in the
rear 3918xlS and total seating capacity
of about 400. The remainder of the third
floor is divided into 20 dormitories. The
hospital is in the fourth story together
with large attic. The laundry, store
room, cellar. etc, are in the basement. The
building is heated by steam and lighted
with gas throughout. Ample fire escapes
are provided. The finishings on the first
floor are of hard wood and tile floor in
the corridors, and maple floors and pine
above.
When Col. Wells was elected manager of
the home he went to Grand Rapids, opened
an Office and prepared to temporarily care
for the veterans in boarding houses and
private apartments until the permanent
home could be completed. The first inmate
was received Sept. IL, 1885, and the rolls
now show that $50 veterans have been ad-
mitted since that date. The inmates to-day
will muster 249 strong with "a out on fnr-
Tough, about 100 discharged and about SO
at fest in the little ocemetery back of the
home. The house has accommodations for
about 400 inmates, and Col. Wells estimates
that the building will be full by February
and crowded year from now.
FORMALLY DEDICATED.
The home was formally dedicated on the
afternoon of December 80. Gov. Alger ar
rived at midnight the night before, accom-
panied by his staff, and was escorted by
the local military companies to the Morton
house. A large number of G.. A. II. posts
from all parts of the state were represent
ed by full delegations, and despite the
wintry weather there was large attend
ance of other visitors. The stream began
moving toward the home as early as 10
O'Clock. Trains ran out to the place every
hour thereafter loaded to the guards and
many citizens and visitors went out in
private conveyances. At ] O'Clock proba-
bly, 1900 people had gathered in and around
the house. The speaking was done from "A
platform erected in the center of the grand
hall, and all who could gathered in the cor
ridors and Railways TO listen to them; but
the great mass, of course, was outside un-
able to get in or to hear anything
The exercises opened with America"
which was rendered by a quartet, assisted
by the enthusiastic audience. Then came
an eloquent prayer by the Rev. Washing,
ton Gardner of jackson, followed by Red
White and Bluen rendered by quartet
Contractor Charles Tiedke then formally
presented the building as completed to
architect Fred w HOLSTER of East Sagi-
nav, who in turn handed il over to Gov.
Alger as chairman of the board of mana
gers, who transferred il to the Hon. John
Northwood, department commander of
the Michigan G.. A. R., who went through
with the ritualistic ceremonies of the or
der.
Gov. Alger then made the dedicator,
address in the following well-chosen words |:
Veterans! This occasion which we had
looked forward to, anticipating a joyous
gathering has been turned to one of sad
ness. One of our great leaders, the idol of
the volunteer soldier and chief among
them all, has passed from earth through
the golden gates to his reward. How fond
ly and with what pride we called the name
OF John A. Logan! Instead of having his
presence here to-day as was expected, and
listening to his fiery eloquence that would
carry us, in imagination through that
mighty struggle, when the life of the ma
ton was at stake his body lies cold m
death and the nation is in tears. He would
have reminded you of battle scenes, where,
crossing steel with steel, scaling breast
works and taking the enemys guns at the
point of the bayonet. or climbing some
rugged mountain to drive him from his
stronghold, you won great victory. Or,
perhaps, with that electric thrill which
banishes fear, as rider sat by rider with
flashing saber, charging the enemy, cap
turing or driving him from the field, you
won the day; or, as he would turn from
those scenes to the quiet of camp life with
its monotonous round OF duty or pleas
ures incident to that life, bringing back
the days of long ago so wildly that the
eye though now dimmed with age would
glisten as in youth. Instead OF all this it
is our mournful task 20 view him, in imag-
ination, in his shroud.
Great heart, gallant soldier, the truest
OF friends, "the bravest OF the brave" fare
WE'LL Very soon the veterans here and
everywhere In this great land, who to day
bow their heads IN grief over their ire